Derby 3 Wimbledon 2
Wimbledon's sequence of seven matches unbeaten ended tonight as Derby came from behind to win and move up to 12th in Nationwide Division One.
Neil Shipperley's 10th league goal of the season gave the Dons an early lead but Derby equalised through Malcolm Christie to go in level at the break.
Deon Burton put the Rams ahead early in the second half and substitute Lee Morris wrapped up the win before David Connolly headed in what ultimately proved to be a consolation for the visitors.
Wimbledon defender Peter Hawkins seemed lucky to get away with what looked to be a foul on Christie as the England Under-21 striker raced through on to Deon Burton's pass in the sixth minute.
The visitors put that scare behind them to go ahead two minutes later. Young winger Joel McAnuff advanced down the right and his low cross was sidefooted home by Shipperley as Rams goalkeeper Lee Grant failed to get down quickly enough to the shot.
Hawkins made up for his earlier indiscretion by deflecting a dangerous-looking cross from Christie out of play after an intelligent slide-rule pass from
Craig Burley, back in the Rams' line-up after a year out with a back injury. However, Christie took full revenge from the resulting 17th-minute corner when he appeared to get the final touch as Elliott headed down Burley's inswinging corner from the left for the equaliser.
The Dons could feel slightly aggrieved as Christie looked to be in an offside position - and was most definitely interfering with play.
Derby then felt they had a good shout for a penalty when Burton appeared to be shoved to the ground in an aerial challenge with Darren Holloway, but referee Mark Clattenburg did not point to the spot.
Connolly then went close twice in as many minutes, first capitalising on a collision between Grant and defender Ian Evatt which left him with an open goal, but he hit the post as he stretched to get his shot in under challenge from Chris Riggott.
The Republic of Ireland striker then stayed on his feet in the 29th minute when many would have gone down after a rash challenge by Grant, rounding the goalkeeper but failing to get a shot away as Derby defenders swarmed around him.
The home side were ahead three minutes into the second half as Robert Lee lifted the ball out to the left channel and McLeod hooked in a high, hanging cross which was at best hopeful.
However Burton made the most of it, jumping high to send a looping header over Wimbledon goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and in.
Warren Barton was booked for a body-check as Jermaine Darlington streaked clear down the left but it was Derby who were now on top as Wimbledon's front two were starved of the ball.
Burley was then replaced by Adam Bolder in the 69th minute after a good first run-out and seven minutes later Morris came on in place of Christie, who had suffered a minor calf strain. It was to prove an inspired change by Derby boss John Gregory.
The former Sheffield United man then sealed the win with 10 minutes to go, collecting a through-ball from McLeod and turning sharply in the box before letting fly with a shot which beat Davis low down to his left.
PA